Windows 10 licensing for Virtual Desktops
Licensing brief
August 2020
Windows 10 licensing for Virtual Desktops
This brief applies to all Microsoft Licensing programs.
Contents
Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Virtualization Methods ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Windows Virtual Desktop ................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
On-premises server or outsourcer server virtualization ....................................................................................................................... 3
Azure or Qualified Multitenant Hosting Partner Infrastructure......................................................................................................... 5
Scenarios ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Summary Table .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Summary
Windows 10 can be used to deploy secure and centrally managed virtual desktops to workers at scale. Customers
looking to virtualize Windows 10 have a variety of ways to deploy and license their virtual machines (VMs). This brief
describes how to license Windows 10 running on VMs.
Notes:
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This brief addresses Windows 10 licensing for Microsoft Commercial Licensing customers only. For the
purposes of this brief, Commercial Licensing programs include all Volume License programs, CSP, and the
Microsoft Customer Agreement. Windows 10 licensed solely through your OEM device generally does not
include virtualization entitlements, with some exceptions. Please see your OEM license agreement for more
details.
?
This brief solely addresses Windows 10 virtualization. It does not cover virtualized Windows Server sessions,
or the licenses needed to access virtualized Windows Server sessions (e.g. Windows Server CALs & RDS
CALs).
August 2020
1
Windows 10 licensing for Virtual Desktops
Generally, and with limitations found below, you must have one of the following licenses to run and access a virtual
machine running Windows 10:
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Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
?
Windows 10 Education A3/A5
?
Windows 10 Education Student Use Benefit
?
Windows 10 Enterprise per device with Software Assurance
?
Windows VDA E3/E5
?
Windows VDA per device
?
Microsoft 365 F3/E3/E5
?
Microsoft 365 A3/A5
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Microsoft 365 Business Premium
User licenses allow licensed users to access Windows 10 VMs from any device. Device licenses allow any user of
the device to access Windows 10 VMs from the licensed device.
Virtualization Methods
How you can virtualize Windows 10 depends on your license, your licensing program, and the means of
virtualization. Different licenses and licensing programs confer different virtualization entitlements. The below
sections explain which licenses and Commercial Licensing programs offer which virtualization entitlements.
Windows 10 can be virtualized using three primary methods:
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Windows Virtual Desktop
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On-premises server or server dedicated to the customer, including those managed by an outsourcer
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Azure or Qualified Multitenant Hosting (QMTH) partner infrastructure
Windows Virtual Desktop
Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is a comprehensive desktop and app virtualization service running on Azure. It¡¯s
the only virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) that delivers simplified management, multi-session Windows 10,
optimizations for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, and support for Remote Desktop Services (RDS) environments.
WVD allows you to deploy and scale your Windows 10 desktops and apps on Azure in minutes with built-in security
and compliance features.
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To use and access WVD desktops, users must be licensed with an eligible user license. Per device licenses
are not eligible for WVD running Windows 10.
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Eligible licenses acquired through all Commercial Licensing programs include the entitlement to virtualize
on WVD.
August 2020
2
Windows 10 licensing for Virtual Desktops
License (any Commercial Licensing program)
Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) entitlement
Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
¡ñ
Windows 10 Education A3/A5
¡ñ
Windows 10 Education/Microsoft 365 Education Student
Use Benefit
¡ñ
Windows 10 Enterprise per device with Software
Assurance
Windows VDA E3/E5
¡ñ
Windows VDA per device
Microsoft 365 E3/E5
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 E3/E5
¡ñ
(user does not have a Qualifying Operating System) *
Microsoft 365 F3
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 F3
¡ñ
(user does not have a Qualifying Operating System) *
Microsoft 365 A3/A5
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 A3/A5
¡ñ
(user does not have a Qualifying Operating System) *
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
¡ñ
(user does not have a Qualifying Operating System) *
* Users licensed with Microsoft 365 can use and access WVD VMs even if they aren¡¯t the primary user of a device with a Qualifying
Operating System (QOS). A QOS is a device licensed for and running Windows Pro/Enterprise.
On-premises server or outsourcer server virtualization
You can run Windows 10 virtual machines on your own on-premises server or on a server dedicated to you that is
managed by an outsourcer. However, if the outsourcer is not deemed an Authorized Outsourcer (see definition
below), only Windows VDA E3/E5 licenses confer virtualization entitlements. Eligible licensed users or devices may
access up to four virtual machines.
Authorized Outsourcers are 3rd parties designated by Microsoft as qualified to host and manage virtualized
instances of your software on servers that are dedicated to you. Authorized Outsourcers are all 3 rd party
hosters that are not designed as ¡°Listed Providers¡± in the document found here:
.
August 2020
3
Windows 10 licensing for Virtual Desktops
To use and access Windows 10 virtual machines via this method,
1) Users or devices must be licensed with an eligible license,
2) Licensed users or devices must have a Qualifying Operating System (QOS) or be licensed with VDA, and
3) Your licenses must have been acquired through an eligible Commercial Licensing program.
On-prem server or dedicated server
managed by Authorized Outsourcer
License
Dedicated server managed by nonAuthorized Outsourcer
Program
Open License, Select/Select Plus, Microsoft Products and Services Agreement,
Open Value, Enterprise Agreement, Enrollment for Education Solutions
Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
¡ñ
Windows 10 Education A3/A5
¡ñ
Windows 10 Education/Microsoft 365
Education Student Use Benefit
Windows 10 Enterprise per device
with Software Assurance
¡ñ
Windows VDA E3/E5
¡ñ
Windows VDA per device
¡ñ
Microsoft 365 F3/E3/E5
¡ñ
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 F3/E3/E5
(user does not have a Qualifying
Operating System)
Microsoft 365 A3/A5
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 A3/A5
(user does not have a Qualifying
Operating System)
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
(user does not have a Qualifying
Operating System)
August 2020
4
Windows 10 licensing for Virtual Desktops
Azure or Qualified Multitenant Hosting Partner Infrastructure
You can run Windows 10 Semi-Annual Channel virtual machines on Azure infrastructure (dedicated or multitenant)
or servers provided by a Qualified Multitenant Hosting (QMTH) Partner. Each eligible licensed user is entitled to
access up to four virtual machines.
License (any Commercial Licensing program)
Azure infrastructure/QMTH Partner
Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
¡ñ
Windows 10 Education A3/A5
¡ñ
Windows 10 Education/Microsoft 365 Education Student
Use Benefit
Windows 10 Enterprise per device with Software
Assurance
Windows VDA E3/E5
¡ñ
Windows VDA per device
Microsoft 365 F3/E3/E5
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 F3/E3/E5
(user does not have a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 A3/A5
¡ñ
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 A3/A5
(user does not have a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
(user has a Qualifying Operating System)
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
(user does not have a Qualifying Operating System)
August 2020
5
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